2 john 1:6 sermon

To illustrate the first mode, we will take an extreme case, but which cannot be examined without our discovering a principle which may equally be applied in various lesser instances. Can any man in a world like ours, with a mind like ours, and Satan's machinations ever against him, declare he is not in danger "of losing what he hath wrought"?III. Secondly, the dignity of it; there is somewhat also in that. His heart, doubtless, was full of what concerned the fruits of his ministry in the Church of Christ; of what he had seen and heard, of the results of his long-continued and laborious exertions for the salvation of men; of his own feelings and prospects in his advanced stage of life, and of his cheering hopes of soon being in a better world, where he would have a sight of Christ. Never mind about anybody else, at any rate till your own turn is served. We will take notice of both. I have to begin again!" 3. But this opens before us a great and solemn subject of discourse One is disposed at first to hope that it may be merely through some metaphysical subtlety that human beings are represented as so interwoven with each other, that the same actions may be charged on a variety of agents: but metaphysical subtlety there is absolutely none; the apostle speaks of our partaking in other men's evil deeds with the same plainness which he would use if speaking of our obeying any one of the Ten Commandments. 1 John 2:1-6: Christ the Advocate of Sinners: Essex Remembrancer: 1 John 2:1-6: Christian Sin: Dudley Kidd. This reward was not temporal, and from them which he did not so much look at; but from God, a reward in heaven. First, they lose their labour, and there is a great matter in that. Davies, M. A.Persecution had to a large extent ceased at the time when this Epistle was written, but a far more dangerous form was assumed, viz., the preaching of false doctrines. And that for this reason especially, forasmuch as they may not always have other helps near unto them. What are we to understand by "the things which we have wrought"? It is a fault that goes by many names — half-heartedness, colourlessness, lack of principle, of decision, of earnestness; but there can he no doubt that it is one of the most prevalent defects in the modern Church, tending throughout the Christian world to destroy the force and very vitality of personal religion. The Apostle John had sufficient evidence that the children of the "elect lady" were consistent followers of Christ. But that is not the way in which the Bible looks at the matter. Secondly, observe this, that perseverance in goodness hath its reward belonging to it (Galatians 6:9). Secondly, there is the sweetness of it also; there is a great deal of delightfulness also in it if we were capable of it; to see everything coming to us, strained through the love of God in Christ; it is wonderful pleasing and satisfying, and the heart of a true believer does exceedingly rejoice in it. So that those who deny the doctrine of Christ, they have not God. There is also a looking to ourselves in carnal confidence — putting confidence in our own goodness. )Warning against false teachersT. We are, in all things, dependent on God. Accordingly men compromise with obligation, hesitate in their allegiance to truth, and make a disposition to hang back, and a lack of thoroughness in opinion and in practice, the most prominent feature of their lives. and what by "losing those things which we have wrought "? Horton, D. D.)Self-preservationThe Christian Herald.1. Thirdly, add also hereunto the grievousness of the miscarriage. How, then, can I speak evil of my King?" When the heart is won for Christ the whole life will follow. His heart, doubtless, was full of what concerned the fruits of his ministry in the Church of Christ; of what he had seen and heard, of the results of his long-continued and laborious exertions for the salvation of men; of his own feelings and prospects in his advanced stage of life, and of his cheering hopes of soon being in a better world, where he would have a sight of Christ. And if St. John had been only a statesman, endeavouring to carry out a great policy, or only a philosopher intent upon diffusing his ideas, he would have contented himself, to use the modern phrase, with "acting upon the masses." Cleansing of the Temple . There is no such way for us to remember any doctrine as to draw it forth into exercise, which is the truest memory of all. Such an one "shall be as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Character is built on the great principles of the gospel, and our whole energy is required to complete it.2. How can the finite enter into relation with the Infinite? II. Thirdly, in regard of affection. And then they put him in the fire. Secondly, they lose that expediteness and facility of doing good, or of resisting evil. The verb ὁμολογέω, to speak the same language, suggests a beautiful thought in this connection. William Jones, Castle Street, Swansea, held a separate family worship with her children. The apostle, as he would not have them to frustrate his labours towards them, so neither their own labours to themselves. How can the weak voice of man be heard across that tremendous gulf which yawns between him, the creature of a day, and the Eternal? God is the God of all grace, but it is God in Christ; He is the channel of the grace of God unto us in all the several kinds and particulars of it wherein it is communicated. First, in point of knowledge. 12.Christian intercourseEssex Congregational Remembrancer.I. And in the moral world there are those whose religion is of the same sentimental kind. 2. It is also the course that should be adopted, the state of mind that is most defensible and helpful, in relation to the fluctuations of religious opinion and the controversies that periodically shake the kingdom of God. Alexander, D. D.The words "doctrine of Christ" may signify either that doctrine which Christ taught when He was here on earth, or that doctrine of which Christ is the subject — the doctrine which sets forth the truth concerning Him. ITS POSSIBLE EFFACEMENT. If the work of the ministry take not there is nothing hereafter to be expected. There is not more deceitfulness and malice in Satan and his instruments than there is likewise naturally in our own hearts to yield and comply with them; therefore we had need to look to ourselves. Davies, M. A.1. New Testament: 3 John 1:1-15; Psalms & Proverbs: Psalm 126:1-6, Proverbs 29:12-14; Subscribe and Get Sermons and Live Streams by John & Matt Hagee DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX! Secondly, no knowledge of God neither out of Christ, because it is He that represents Him: as we cannot look upon the sun directly. Oh, this wonderfully enlarges the power or opportunity of destroying our souls; this amazingly magnifies the dread business of the judgment. Therefore we see what cause we have to pity and to bewail such persons as these are. It is a motto most men believe in. Consider the things that you wrought in former days. We may understand it of either. People have cause to look to it that they do not frustrate the labours of the ministers by losing those doctrines and instructions which are tendered unto them. He has left no system of theology. Here is another piece of a motive why believers should "look to themselves," not only that they might not lose, but that moreover they might gain and their teachers gain with them. The prevalence and danger of negative error in matters of faith, The wrought work of the Divine Spirit within the soul. Of how many shipwrecked souls might the same thing be said, "The pilot was asleep below. It is also the course that should be adopted, the state of mind that is most defensible and helpful, in relation to the fluctuations of religious opinion and the controversies that periodically shake the kingdom of God. B. Foster.This is a glorious subject! I have to begin again!" P. Thompson.The social feeling is a vital element of our nature, and fit society is indispensable to the perfection of happiness. This must arise either from their disbelieving the word of God, or because, irrespective of its testimony, they form their judgment from their own inability to feel any pleasure in it. Secondly, they have not God neither in point of worship. He was but a simple, commonplace, pious old man. Do not suppose it is all right with you, because you are comfortable and at ease, but suspect yourselves. I would not it should be so with you; I warn you of it. Conceive of the creation of one solitary being to occupy the vast physical universe. And that according to all these kind of influences which are to be desired, and those benefits which are of the greatest concernment. P. Days seemed like weeks. While he is upon the sea he is in peril. )Looking after one's own interestG. And not less necessary is it that you look to your temper and walk. What is very painful in the conduct of the infidels, agnostics, and secularists of the day, is the effort they make to get young men together to their meetings.2. Thirdly, by mere carelessness and neglect. Thirdly, conference and holy communion. Let a man try to discover the reason why his progress in religion is slow, why he does not throw off evil habits that have disturbed him for years, why his influence for good in his own neighbourhood is so limited and uncertain; and he will generally, though not always, find that the secret of it all is his own half-heartedness, the superficiality of his religion.III. There is nothing which is in any way desirable but it is to be found in this reward. (Cambridge Bible for Schools. That the principle admits of this application is but too clearly proved by our text. Conceive of the creation of one solitary being to occupy the vast physical universe. First, a fulness of sufficiency. There is a present reward in any Christian act. I think that these are the questions John considered as he sat down and wrote the beginning of his gospel. "Look to yourselves" and see whether you do. Now therefore let us be careful to put this caution in practise; losses are for the most part unacceptable. Look to yourselves. "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." It is true indeed we have other things to move us, even the excellency which is in goodness itself, and that example which we have of it in God and regard to Him, that requires it of us. "Men will praise thee when thou doest well to thyself." This view of the necessity of Christian communion to the perfection of religious joy teaches us that a monkish seclusion from the world is contrary to the whole genius of the gospel.2. Garibaldi never lost his courage on the field of battle, because he saw his mother on her knees praying for him. H. Spurgeon.When a man is known to suffer from a sadly contagious disease none of his friends will come near the house. What a sad thing to have laboured in vain! The boy said, "You will have to wait, sir, until she finishes praying with the children." (2)The tendency and results of Christ's advent. But it is well to look a little more closely at the reasonableness and advantage of maintaining this intermediate position between the two extremes. And how much more does it then concern them to avoid it, and shun it all they can in such things as these are, which are of such weighty importance. It also incurs a grave responsibility. He expects that we will love Him, and that we will love one another, because, as John says, God is love. The second is in regard of judgment. Can these lines of heavenly beauty and Divine truth, traced by the finger of God, be so crossed and counter-marked as to present nothing but a mass of senseless hieroglyphs? Now secondly, for what also is expressed, that ministers are justly very tender of the frustrating of their labours. M. 3. He taught that the framework of definite truth or doctrine was essentially the strength and stability of the Christian character.(E. And let us take heed for others, because if we lose the "things which we have wrought" we shall also fail in the "recompense of the reward." Just as in the "Pilgrim's Progress," where the traveller Zion-ward is toiling up the hill to reach the City of Life. That is, he is reckoned by others to be in partnership with him. Consider the things that you wrought in former days. He would also expect to have an interchange of feeling on the sublimest and most interesting of all subjects, relative to the redemption of the world by the Lord Jesus Christ, and to find in the hearts of all in that family a response to what he felt in his own, in reference to the progress then making or made of the gospel in the world by the instrumentality of his fellow apostles; and thus heart would kindle heart, and Christian, holy fellowship would produce joy with which a stranger to such themes could never intermeddle.2. 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